Sox face decisions on De Aza, other arbitration-eligible players

With interest in Granderson, Hahn could opt against tendering contract to mistake-prone center fielder

November 14, 2013|By Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune reporter

Alejandro De Aza is out sliding back to second base as the Royals' Johnny Giavotella makes the out for a second part. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

ORLANDO, Fla. — White Sox general manager Rick Hahn recognizes that outfielder Alejandro De Aza made some cover-your-eyes, groan-out-loud mistakes on the basepaths and in the field in 2013.

De Aza certainly wasn't the only Sox player to do so during a rough season, and Hahn said this week at the general managers meetings that the 29-year-old Dominican needs to be assessed beyond those troubles.

"It's tough with De Aza," Hahn said. "When he makes a mistake on the basepaths, which were far too numerous last year, those tend to stand out more in your mind. That's almost an unfairly subjective way to evaluate the player.

"We're talking about a left-handed hitter who can run, who has some pop, who can get on base at a decent clip, who has in the past played solid defense in center field. That player is valuable. It can be frustrating at times — and frustrating in a very public and loud way — but you need to look at the entire player when evaluating how he fits and what role."

Now that the GM meetings have concluded, the next major deadline for the Sox is Dec. 2, when teams must tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players. For the Sox, that includes De Aza, second baseman Gordon Beckham, outfielder Dayan Viciedo and catcher Tyler Flowers.

MLBTradeRumors.com projects De Aza to be owed $4.4 million next season. With the Sox at least curious about Yankees free-agent outfielder Curtis Granderson, it raises an interesting question of whether the Sox would part with De Aza or Viciedo, perhaps also via trade.

De Aza hit .264, had a .323 on-base percentage and was second on the team with 27 doubles, 17 home runs and 62 RBIs, mostly from the leadoff spot. He also was caught stealing eight times and made eight errors, though his mistakes extended beyond those numbers.

Hahn said De Aza should be considered an everyday player for all but the most talented and richest clubs, which would be "psyched" to have him as a fourth outfielder.

"At times he perhaps got a little too power-focused as opposed to what made him successful the year before in terms of working the count, getting on base," Hahn said. "But that's still a guy who can play a role on a championship team. It's just finding that right role for him."

Third option: While discussing the Sox's future at third base, Hahn made sure recent Arizona Fall League player Marcus Semien was inserted in the discussion.

The Sox used the combination of Jeff Keppinger and Conor Gillaspie for most of 2013 before Semien arrived as a September call-up and tried several infield positions. Hahn said a Keppinger-Gillaspie platoon can provide "a decent level of offensive production," but he also said Semien and a new acquisition remain options.

Semien hit .261 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 21 major league games.

"There are a few things he needs to refine that he showed in flashes ... that we need to see him translate to the big league level," Hahn said. "But long-term, he's an everyday player. Whether that starts opening day 2014, we've still got time to figure that out."